By Sodiq Adelakun
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that the 2027 presidential election would be “a coronation, not an election” for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would retain power.
Keyamo made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, where he defended the Tinubu administration’s record and dismissed the electoral prospects of the opposition.
READ ALSO:Yari denies link to EFCC gold seizure, threatens legal action over reports
The APC chieftain said recent electoral victories by the ruling party reflected growing public support for the administration and underscored its chances in the next general election.
“We have won in Ekiti now. We told them to vote, they voted. FCT they voted, we won,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the expected candidacies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi posed a threat to the APC, Keyamo dismissed their chances.
“I’m looking around, between you and me, where will Obi’s votes come from? I can’t see it,” he said.
When asked specifically if Atiku remained a formidable challenger, the minister replied jokingly, “Which Atiku? Nightmare who?” before laughing.
Keyamo concluded by asserting that Tinubu’s re-election was virtually assured based on what he described as demographic realities.
“I want to make a profound statement as a closing statement. Not out of arrogance, not out of overconfidence, but out of pure demographic calculations: the 2027 election is a coronation, not an election.
“I repeat—don’t take me out of context—out of pure demographic calculations, it’s a coronation,” he said.
President Tinubu is widely expected to seek a second term on the APC platform with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Among the leading opposition figures expected to contest the presidency are Atiku and Obi, while former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is also expected to play a major role in the evolving political landscape.
The comments by Keyamo come as political parties continue consultations and alignments ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election.
